Arroyo Burro Beach County Park — also widely known as Hendry’s Beach — is a 13.8-acre public beach and park in Santa Barbara, California. This guide covers opening hours, admission, parking, public transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
Last updated: June 2026. A key detail not reflected in many older guides: as of summer 2026, the MTD Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle is running on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with a stop near the beach, providing a low-cost and car-free option for visitors. The shuttle fare is $0.50 per trip.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2981 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 |
| Opening hours | Daily, 8:00 AM – sunset |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Free (two on-site lots; fills quickly on weekends) |
| Nearest public transport | MTD Bus Route 5 (terminus at Arroyo Burro Beach Park); summer weekend shuttle (Fri–Sun, May 29 – Sept 7, 2026) |
| Typical visit duration | 1–3 hours |
Arroyo Burro Beach opening hours
The park is open daily from 8:00 AM until sunset. There is no fixed closing time, as sunset varies through the year. Overnight parking and camping are not permitted; the parking lot entrance is closed at sunset, though vehicles already parked may remain.
There are no seasonal closures. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season (broadly mid-June through mid-August). Outside those months, there is no lifeguard cover and swimmers are advised to exercise caution.
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- 🦭 Look out for harbour seals and sea lions on a wildlife kayaking tour around Santa Barbara Harbor.
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- 🍷 Take a Santa Barbara wine country tour to some of the area’s best wineries.
- ⛵ Explore the Californian coastline on a yacht cruise.
Arroyo Burro Beach admission and fees
Admission to the beach and park is free. There is no charge for parking. There is a small charge to use the self-service dog wash station in the car park.
The beach is not included in any city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPass, as there is no admission fee to offset.
Admission and fees were checked on the official Santa Barbara County website and last updated in June 2026.
How to get to Arroyo Burro Beach
The beach is at 2981 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, approximately five miles west of downtown Santa Barbara. By car from downtown, take US-101 south, exit at Las Positas Road, head towards the ocean, and follow the road to the roundabout; the park entrance is a short distance further on the left.
By public transport: MTD Bus Route 5 (Mesa / La Cumbre) runs from the downtown Transit Center to Arroyo Burro Beach Park, which is the route terminus. The summer Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle also serves the area on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM between 29 May and 7 September 2026, with a standard one-way fare of $0.50 (free for Amtrak ticket holders on the day of travel). Check the MTD website for current schedules and stops.
Parking at Arroyo Burro Beach
Parking is free in two on-site lots directly adjacent to the beach. There is no charge and no time limit. However, parking fills quickly on summer weekends and public holidays. Once the lots are full, there is no overflow parking facility on site.
Accessible parking spaces are available in the lots. Bicycle racks are provided near the entrance. Note that Cliff Drive is a residential road; street parking nearby is limited and subject to local restrictions.
How long to spend at Arroyo Burro Beach
Most visitors spend one to three hours at the beach. Families with children or dogs often stay longer. The beach itself extends 2.25 miles east to the stairs at Shoreline Park, making a one-way coastal walk of around 45–60 minutes a realistic option.
The adjacent Douglas Family Preserve adds hiking trails and coastal bluff views for those who want to extend their visit on foot.
Accessibility at Arroyo Burro Beach
The car park, restroom buildings, and the Boathouse restaurant are paved and accessible to wheelchair users. The beach itself is sand, which can present challenges for some mobility aids. Santa Barbara County Parks offers free beach wheelchairs at Arroyo Burro; these can be requested through the county parks department in advance.
Outdoor showers and restrooms with changing facilities are available near the car park. The restrooms are standard public facilities; visitors with specific accessibility requirements should contact Santa Barbara County Parks before visiting.
Inside Arroyo Burro Beach: what to see and do
Sandy beach and swimming – The beach is flat and wide, with a sheltered bay formed by the surrounding bluffs. It is suitable for swimming, bodyboarding, and surf fishing. Lifeguards are on duty in summer. Ocean water temperatures average around 63°F; wetsuits are commonly worn for longer swims. Note that natural oil seeps from the seabed occur in the Santa Barbara Channel; tar residue occasionally appears on the sand and on skin. Baby oil or Goo Gone can remove it.
Surfing and paddleboarding – The beach is a local surf spot. Stand-up paddleboarding is also popular, with easy flat-water access from the car park area.
Dog area – Dogs are permitted throughout the park on a lead. The beach east of the Arroyo Burro Creek mouth is designated off-leash for dogs, extending 2.25 miles to the stairs at Shoreline Park. This is one of only two off-leash beach sections in Santa Barbara. A self-service dog wash station is available in the car park for a small charge.
Picnic and grassy park area – Immediately behind the beach is a grassy park with picnic tables and BBQ grills. This area can be used without charge on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are available for the picnic area.
The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach – A sit-down restaurant directly on the beach, open daily 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a focus on fresh seafood. Happy hour runs Sunday to Thursday, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Watershed Resource Center – A small educational facility on site, built from recycled materials, focused on the ecology of the Arroyo Burro watershed.
Douglas Family Preserve – Accessed from the east end of the car park, this 70-acre open space on the bluffs above the beach has walking trails and coastal views. It is managed by the City of Santa Barbara and is free to enter.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrive early on summer weekends | The free car parks fill quickly, often by mid-morning on busy days. Arriving before 9:00 AM is the most reliable way to secure a space. |
| Check the tide | The beach is widest at low tide. At high tide, the sand narrows considerably at some points, particularly near the creek mouth. |
| Bring tar remover | Natural oil seeps occasionally deposit tar on the sand and on skin. A small amount of baby oil or a product such as Goo Gone removes it easily from skin. |
| Dogs on the correct side of the creek | Dogs must be on a lead throughout the park and on the beach west of the creek. The off-leash area begins east of the creek mouth. The boundary is not fenced; look for the creek as the marker. |
| No lifeguard outside summer | Lifeguard cover is generally limited to mid-June through mid-August. At other times, swim in groups and be aware of currents. |
Frequently asked questions about Arroyo Burro Beach
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Arroyo Burro Beach free to visit? | Yes. There is no admission charge and parking is free. The only on-site charges are the dog wash station (small fee) and the Boathouse restaurant. |
| Is Arroyo Burro Beach dog-friendly? | Yes. Dogs are allowed on a lead throughout the park. The off-leash area is the beach east of the Arroyo Burro Creek mouth, extending 2.25 miles east. |
| Is Arroyo Burro Beach suitable for children? | Yes. The beach is wide and flat with a sheltered bay. There are picnic tables, BBQ grills, and a grassy area. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season. |
| Is there a restaurant at Arroyo Burro Beach? | Yes. The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach is open daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. |
| Can you camp at Arroyo Burro Beach? | No. Overnight parking and camping are not permitted at the beach or in the car park. |
Things to do near Arroyo Burro Beach
Douglas Family Preserve – A 70-acre open space on the bluffs directly above the beach, with coastal walking trails. Access is from the eastern end of the beach car park; free to enter.
Elings Park – A large community park about half a mile up Las Positas Road, offering sports fields, a skate park, and open hillside with views. Paragliders often launch from the adjacent cliffs.
Shoreline Park – A clifftop park and beach about 2.25 miles east, accessible by foot along the sand or by road. It offers elevated ocean views and access to tide pools at low tide.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden – Around two miles from the beach, this 78-acre garden focuses on California native plants with over five miles of walking trails.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History – Around 2.5 miles from the beach, in Mission Canyon. Covers natural history of the Pacific Coast and Channel Islands, with an outdoor amphitheatre and planetarium.
What to visit tomorrow: beaches within two hours of Santa Barbara
El Capitan State Beach, Goleta – A sheltered cove around 20 miles north-west of Santa Barbara, with camping, kelp beds for snorkelling, and access to coastal trails. California State Parks day-use fee applies.
Refugio State Beach, Gaviota – Around 30 miles north-west, this palm-lined beach has camping, a small cove, and bike trails connecting it to El Capitan. California State Parks day-use fee applies.
Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu – Around 75 miles south-east, this beach has sea caves, tide pools, and a campground. A popular surf and snorkel spot with lifeguards in summer.
Zuma Beach, Malibu – One of the largest and most accessible beaches in Los Angeles County, around 80 miles south-east. Wide sand, lifeguards, and strong surf; parking fee applies.
Pismo Beach – Around 90 miles north-west, this broad sandy beach is known for surf, clamming, and dune access. The adjacent Oceano Dunes allow off-road vehicles on the sand.
More California travel
Other California travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- The best places to see sea lions in California.
- Guides to Santa Barbara attractions: Santa Barbara Zoo and Old Mission Santa Barbara.
- What to know before visiting the California Academy of Sciences – one of the top science museums in California.
- Complete guide to day tours to Monterey and Carmel from San Francisco.
- The best way to visit the Autry Museum of the American West and the Travel Town Museum in Los Angeles.
